Mahendra

Mahendra meaning

Mahendra (महेन्द्र) is a Hindu boy's name of Sanskrit origin.

Great Indra; also Vishnu or Shiva; a great chief

Also used to mean: great ruler

Mahendra (महेन्द्र) joins Sanskrit mahā, "great", and Indra, the king of the gods, and so means "great Indra". Monier-Williams adds that it can name Vishnu or Shiva and, more generally, a great chief or leader. It is also the name of one of the seven principal mountain ranges of ancient India, remembered in Mahendragiri, and of the son of Emperor Ashoka who, as the monk Mahinda, took Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Name lists give "great Indra" or "great ruler". Its best-known bearer today is the cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 802 · entry mahendra · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Monier-Williams, mahendra, p. 802 · Wikipedia, Mahinda (Buddhist monk) · Wikipedia, MS Dhoni

Famous namesakes

• Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, who took Buddhism to Sri Lanka
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former India cricket captain

Fits your syllable

First sound म

Magha nakshatra, pada 1 · Simha rashi

This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is मा, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.

Spellings

Mahendra · Mahindra · Mahender · Mahinder

Related names

Also meaning leader

Also starting with Mah-

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